USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Northfield > History of the town of Northfield, Massachusetts : for 150 years, with an account of the prior occupation of the territory by the Squakheags : and with family genealogies > Part 24
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The coming on of these families induced Mr. Ebenezer Hinsdell, who had been chaplain at Fort Dummer for 14 years, to erect a block-house, upon land which he owned on Ash-swamp brook, and
228
History of Northfield.
to put in a grist mill on the next brook about 50 rods below. This mill-site was convenient to the settlers just now located, and would accommodate the garrison and families stationed at Fort Dummer, who had previously got their grinding done at Belding's mill. The fort buildings were put up, probably in the summer of 1742, and stood on the bluff back of the meadow about 60 rods east of the river. The position was a strong one, and commanded a view southward as far as old Fort Hill, and northward to the mouth of Broad brook, and westward to the mountains, including Sartwell's and Bridgman's block-houses.
The cellar-hole of the fort is still to be seen, about 20 rods south- west of the house of Lemuel Liscom.
These several block-houses, which were strictly private enterprises, and were used as dwellings, proved of great service in the subsequent wars, and will often come into notice in the course of our narrative.
Capt. Kellogg continued in command at Fort Dummer, till June 20, 1740, when he was appointed Interpreter to the Indian nations, and was succeeded in the command by Capt. Josiah Willard .- Joseph Kellogg was the son of Martin Kellogg of Hadley, Deerfield and Suffield. He was born at Hadley Nov. 8, 1691 ; was taken captive by the Indians at Deerfield when 12 years of age and carried to Canada, where he learned to speak French, and became familiar with the languages and customs of all the Indian tribes living in that region, and also of the Mohawks and some of the more western tribes. He was induced to return home in 1714, and was almost constantly em- ployed in the public service on the frontiers, as has already appeared. He was often sent as a commissioner to Albany, Canada, and other places. He served as Interpreter, with headquarters at Fort Dum- mer, 1740-49 ; was employed as Interpreter in Rev. John Sergeant's Indian Mission school at Stockbridge for near two years ; was present at the celebrated treaty at Albany in 1754. In 1756, though broken in health, he was persuaded by Gov. Shirley to accompany him, as Interpreter, to Oswego. But his strength was not equal to the journey ; and he died and was buried at Schenectady. He was re- garded as the best Interpreter of his day in New England.
Capt. Kellogg's was one of those true, brave natures that are not appreciated while living, and receive little renown when dead. Men feel the good they do and accept the blessings they impart, just as they accept and feel the daily sunshine, hardly realizing its source and beneficent power. Unselfish, fearless, conscientious always, ready to go where duty called, he gave the strength of his manhood to the defence of these frontiers. He lived to see doubtful beginnings be-
229
Interval of Peace.
come sturdy growths ; he lived to see the question settled that the French rule would never be dominant in the Connecticut valley. Northfield owes it to him that she was not a third time destroyed.
While Fort Dummer was used as a Truck-house, little care was bestowed upon its defences ; and in 1740 and '41 large repairs were made. Two bastions at opposite angles were built ; a line of pickets, 20 feet in height, was set around the fort ; and some swivel guns were added to the pateraros with which it was originally armed. A " Great Gun," whose report could be distinctly heard at Northfield, is often named in the records, as part of the armament of the fort ; but it appears to have been used mainly as a signal when assistance was needed, or some remarkable news was received. Within the enclosure were four province houses, two stories high, convenient and comfortable ; besides several smaller houses containing a single room each.
THE NEW PROVINCE LINE .- There had long existed a dispute between the Provinces of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, in re- gard to the true northern boundary of the former Province. It grew out of the different constructions put upon the Massachusetts charter of 1692. And as a last resort, the matter was by both parties in in- terest referred to the king. His Majesty issued a decree dated Aug. 5, 1740, fixing the boundary line at a point more than 40 miles to the south of the line claimed by Massachusetts, and 14 miles further south than New Hampshire had claimed ; thus taking a strip 14×50 miles in extent out of the territory of Massachusetts, her title to which had never been questioned, and on parts of which her citizens had been in quiet possession for two generations. This arbitrary decree caused great distress and loss, and laid the foundations for bitter resentments and re-criminations that lasted for half a century.
By direction of the government of New Hampshire (Massachusetts declining to be a party) the new line was run in March 1741, by Richard Hazen, from the Merrimack river, westward. As hereto- fore stated, this line cut off a tract of Northfield territory, 4 miles and 197 rods in width. The Northfield proprietors however, did not give up their rights of property in this tract, and they were not inter- · fered with. As late as 1753, the common lands lying north of the Ashuelot were divided to the old grantees, and the title thus acquired held good. Till the incorporation of Hinsdale in 1753, the people living on the cut off territory were styled, in deeds and official docu- ments, " of the northerly part of Northfield township above the line of the Massachusetts government."
230
History of Northfield.
MR. DOOLITTLE'S TROUBLES. - The recorded action of the town shows that the first 17 years of Mr. Doolittle's pastorate in North- field was highly acceptable to the people. In 1733, the town voted, " To give Rev. Mr. Doolittle the sum of fifteen pounds additional salary, in money or bills of credit, during his continuance in the work of the ministry amongst us." This vote furnishes unmistakable evi- dence of respect and confidence. But in 1736 or 37, a disaffection arose. His medical and surgical practice was extensive and lucrative, and in the opinion of some interfered with his ministerial duties. He also differed from some of his leading church members in his views of religious doctrine.
A Memorandum, in the hand-writing of Lieut. Eliezur Wright, indi- cates - without explaining - the principal points of the controversy :
" 1. the fall of the money ; 2. the ufe of the £100 ; 3. the wood ; 4. his entering a complaint to the Court and withdrawing his action ; 5. his telling the town he would not lay by doctoring and chirurgery under 400 pounds a year ; 6. his refufing to comply with the Affociation's and the Court's advice for a mutual council ; 7. his practice of doctoring and chirurgery, and acting as pro- prietor's clerk for Winchefter, contrary to the town's mind."
The leading families that sided with Mr. D. were the Fields, Alexanders, Strattons, Beldings, Hunt, Evens, Petty, Beaman, and William Holton : his leading opposers were the Mattoons, Wrights, Merrimans, Jonathan Janes, Joseph Stebbins, Eleazar Holton, Samuel Smith, Nathaniel Dickinson, and Daniel Shattuck. A strong ma- jority of numbers upheld the pastor ; and the removal from town of Dea. Eleazar Mattoon, from dislike to Mr. D., weakened the minority.
Feb. 26, 1739, the following paper was handed to Mr. Doolittle :
" Revnd Sir: You have a long time been acquainted with the uneafinefs we labor under refpecting fome of the doctrines you have delivered from the pulpit and in private converfation, and we judge the following propofals very reafon- able, and defire your compliance with them :
1. We judge it highly reafonable we fhould be heard upon the objections we have to make againft fome of the doctrines you have delivered as aforefaid, which doctrines we judge to be Arminianifm.
2. We judge it very reafonable you fhould join with us in choofing a Council of minifters and others, indifferent in the caufe, to hear our matters of objection.
3 We judge it reafonable that you fhould have a copy of the matters of charge we have againit you, a week before the fitting of the Council aforefaid.
4. We judge it reafonable that the parties fhould be obliged to abide by the determination of fuch Council, that the controverfie between us may be ended. By abiding by the determination of ye Council we mean, y' if the Council fhall
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Interval of Peace.
judge yt we have proved that you have advanced many of ye Arminian doc- trines, the relation you ftand in to us as our paftor and preacher fhall be dif- folved. But if they judge otherwife, we are willing you fhould continue to be our paftor.
5. If you think what is above propofed, in whole or in part unreafonable, we defire you'd propofe fomething that is reafonable.
We defire your anfwer in writing within two days. Signed by Capt. Benj. Wright, and 18 others.
No answer to these proposals was received ; and the disaffected brethren applied to Rev. William Williams the venerable minister of Hatfield, for advice. His answer, dated Mar. 2, 1739, breathes the spirit of true wisdom and christian charity, and recommends substan- tially the line of action contemplated in the proposals just quoted. He suggests, in addition, that "the matter may be referred to the next meeting of the Association, which for aught I know, if desired, may be at your town."
A meeting of the Hampshire Association was held at Northfield May 3, 1739, and Capt. Wright and those acting with him applied to it for advice. The Association recommended, I. that the mem- bers of the church use all proper methods among themselves to heal the dissensions and secure harmony, by humble prayer to the God of peace, and by the earnest culture of the spirit of mutual good-will ; by treating your pastor with respect and good temper ; by endeavor- ing to learn his principles by calm conversation with him, and careful attendance upon his public ministry for the space of half a year. 2. If all these means shall fail, then we recommend the calling of a mutual Council. 3. If a Council be called, we recommend that you agree upon such churches as are known to be sound and orthodox in the faith, and not directly related to either side ; and that you furnish the pastor in writing, two weeks beforehand, all the particulars which you have against him. 4. That you pledge yourselves to abide by the decision of the Council.
But the disaffected brethren declined to call upon Mr. Doolittle for the " calm conversation ; " and Mr. Doolittle declined to unite with them in calling a Council.
Another appeal was made to the Association at its meeting in West Springfield, April, 1740 ; and that body repeated its advice of last year. In the fall, the matter was carried (by which party is unknown) to the County court in session at Springfield. In response, the Jus- tices sent a letter addressed " To the selectmen of the town of Northfield, to be communicated to said town," in which they declare that, although " this affair was not directly within their province ; yet
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History of Northfield.
being desirous that peace may be promoted and religion flourish amongst the people," they advise "a compliance with the advice of the Association, without making any additions thereto, or without any strained constructions put thereon, readily and speedily to conform to it."
To understand the exact nature and bearings of this controversy, and the zeal of the two parties - the one in favor of submitting the matter to an Ecclesiastical Council, and the other in opposition to that course - it is to be borne in mind that this was the period of the " Great Awakening " which attended the preaching of Rev. Jona- than Edwards then of Northampton, and that men's opinions on doctrinal points were becoming very sharply defined.
The strong majority in his favor in the church, probably influenced the pastor to decline all overtures for a public hearing and adjudication.
The following paper, in the hand-writing of Mr. Doolittle, shows how the difficulty was settled - though probably not healed : [it ap- pears to have been read and the action taken at the close of the afternoon service on the Sabbath.]
Northfield, February 27, A.D., 1740-41.
To ye Church of Chrift in Northfield. Brethren : There has been a great noife about my Principals which has been very wounding 10 Religion and hurt- full to peace and unity among us : and I now make a demand of all thofe that have any thing to object againft my Principals to come to me and tell me ye very particular article they object againft, to fe if I cant fatiffie them, and if I dont fatiffie them, then to bring it to the Church, or elfe to hold your peace forever hereafter : And this in order that the matter may be healed among ourfelves, according to the advice of the Affociation :- Brethren, if it be your minds that thofe that have any thing to object againft my Principals fhould do as I have now demanded of them, manifelt it by lifting up the hand. Voted in ye Affirmative."
INDUSTRIES .- Azariah Wright was the mason, Stephen Crowfoot and Daniel Wright the carpenters, Joseph Burt the cordwainer, and Benj. Miller, the tanner, through the period covered by this chapter. John Alexander was the tailor till his removal to Fort Dummer in 33. Samuel Smith opened a blacksmith's shop about 1730. Thomas Taylor commenced work as cordwainer as early as'40 or '41. John Mun the weaver was in Northfield in 1744.
CHAPTER VIII.
The old French and Indian War. 1744-1753.
FRUITS OF 18 YEARS OF PEACE - WAR DECLARED - CONDUCT OF NEW HAMP- SHIRE - NEW FORTS AT NORTHFIELD - CORDON OF FORTS - NORTHFIELD MILITIA COMPANY - WILLIAM PHIPPS - NEHEMIAH How - No. 4 - UPPER ASHUELOT - JOSHUA HOLTON - CAPT. DANIEL PAINE'S TROOP - CAPT. JOSIAH BROWN'S - CAPT. JOSEPH HOW'S - INDIAN RAIDS - THE KILLING OF YOUNG BENJAMIN WRIGHT - ATTACK ON SHATTUCK'S FORT - CAPT. STEVENS'S DEFENCE OF NO. 4 - KILLING OF NATHANIEL DICKINSON AND ASAHEL BURT - NEW LINE OF FORTS PROJECTED - SIEUR RAIMBAULT - JOHN SMEAD - NEW SCHOOL HOUSE - LT. JOHN SERGEANT'S DEATH - DISCOURAGEMENTS AND DIFFICULTIES - CAPT. MELVIN'S SCOUT - COL. STODDARD'S DEATH - CAPT. HOBBS'S FIGHT - SERCT. THOMAS TAYLOR'S ENCOUNTER - THE KILLING OF AARON BELDING - PEACE - DEATH OF REV. MR. DOOLITTLE - MR. ISAAC LYMAN - ROBERT COOPER - EFFECTS OF THE WAR - Rev. JOHN HUBBARD'S SETTLEMENT - PUSHING UP NORTH- WARD - PASTURING THE COMMONS - SHEPHERDS - FOURTH AND FIFTH DIVISIONS OF COMMONS - INDUSTRIES.
HE present chapter opens at the end of 18 years of assured peace in the Connecticut valley. Besides the forts and dwellings near the north line of the Northfield grant, enumerated in the last chapter, several settlements had been projected higher up, and to the eastward of the river. Single adventurers had squatted down, and clusters of farmers had located on spots of fertile meadow, and were laying the foundations of villages and towns.
In the summer of 1736, William Smead, Nathan Blake and Seth Heaton broke ground at Upper Ashuelot (Keene) ; and the planta- tion was now increased to a considerable village. The same year a few huts were put up at Arlington (Winchester) ; and settlers moved on so rapidly that in Nov. 1743 an assessment of £80 was laid on polls and estates. There were on the list, 23 resident families and individuals who paid a poll tax, besides II non-resident land owners. In 1739, Richard Ellis and his son Reuben built a dwelling house (log hut) and broke up 5 or 6 acres of land in township No. I (West- minster) on the west side of the river. Seth Tisdale and John Barney
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History of Northfield.
were with them. In 1740, John Kilburn started from Wethersfield, Conn., stopped at Northfield with his family where he was taxed 1741, and then moved on to No. 3 (Walpole). In 1742 or '43, Nehemiah How of Grafton Mass., William Phipps, Daniel Rugg of Lancaster, with their families, Robert Baker and others settled at Great Meadow (Putney), made a clearing, built a fort, and in the space of three years had gathered a considerable stock of cattle. And there is some evidence that, at the same date, Daniel How, Thomas Crisson and others from Rutland Mass. made a clearing and built huts on the opposite side of the river at No. 2. (Westmoreland).
As early as 1740, three families by the name of Farnsworth from Lunenburg Mass. commenced a settlement at No. 4. (Charlestown). They were joined by Isaac Parker from Groton, John Spafford, Capt. Phinehas Stevens, and others, and in '43 built a corn-mill and fort. In '44 they put up a saw-mill, and were then described as " nine or ten families who lived in huts near to each other," and depended for protection on the fort.
1744. War was declared by France against Great Britain, March 15 ; and on the 29th England declared war against France in return. Intelligence of the opening of hostilities was not received in Boston till towards the end of May, though it had been known in Canada a month earlier, which gave the French an important advantage.
This contest between the powers over the water, meant for New England a war with the Indians, with a repetition of all the atrocities and distress of former struggles with the savages.
The Canadian government had been preparing for such an out- break for many years. In 1731, they erected Fort St. Frederick, afterwards known as Crown Point, which gave them the absolute control of Lake Champlain ; and, what was quite as important, afforded a base of operations, and magazine for provisions and am- munition, and an asylum and cover for war parties returning from our valley with prisoners and spoils.
The number of Indians then in direct league with the French, ac- cording to a statement prepared by Gov. Clinton of New York, was about 600. The Cagnowagas were about 230; the Missisqueeks (Gray Lock's old tribe) 40 ; Abenaques at St. Francis, 90 ; etc. All these tribes were located at points convenient to strike the western New England borders.
At this date the block- houses above Northfield were in good con- dition. Fort Dummer had been lately repaired ; and the new forts above the Ashuelot, and at Great Meadow and No. 4, were reason- ably strong - though they were not manned.
235
The Old French and Indian War.
But our frontiers were taken by surprise, and were really in a poor condition for effective warfare. Massachusetts and New Hampshire were more directly exposed ; and to make effectual resistance to as- saults from the north, or to carry the war into Canada, there was need of united counsels and harmonious action. But the two Pro-, vinces were at bitter variance. The arbitrary decision of the bound- ary question caused wounds that were not readily healed. And the course pursued by New Hampshire at this juncture evinced a singu- lar lack of comity and friendliness. Notwithstanding she had got the territory, she refused to defend the people living upon it. The following declaration of the New Hampshire Assembly May 3, 1745, when called upon to man the forts and protect the settlers on the Connecticut, shows the spirit which controlled her people throughout the entire period of the war. "The fort [Dummer] was 50 miles distant from any towns which had been settled by the government or people of New Hampshire : that the people had no right to the lands which, by the dividing line, had fallen within New Hampshire, not- withstanding the plausible arguments which had been used to induce them to bear the expense of the line, namely, that the land would be given to them or else would be sold to pay that expense ; that the charge of maintaining that fort, at so great a distance, and to which there was no communication by roads would exceed what had been the whole expense of government before the line was established ; that if they should take upon them to maintain this fort, there was another much better and more convenient fort at a place called Number-Four, besides several other settlements, which they should also be obliged to defend ; and finally that there was no danger that these forts would want support, since it was the interest of Massa- chusetts, by whom they were erected, to maintain them as a cover to their frontiers." I
.
A second source of weakness in the conduct of the war, was the want of ammunition and stores for the prompt despatch of scouts and relief parties. Nothing was ready for emergencies. "Nobody may move till an account is sent to the chief colonel ; and then the men must be mustered ; and by the time the commissary can furnish the men with provisions, their time is expired."> Third, " it is observa- ble that the continual changing of schemes renders all measures for the war unsuccessful. Before any one single scheme is tried, it is flung up, and nothing ever prosecuted to advantage : There is scarcely
" Belknap's History of New Hampshire. Farmer's Ed., p. 286.
2 Doolittle's Narrative.
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History of Northfield.
any one scheme of more than six months continuance."I Another cause, which could not be obviated, but which had most important consequences, was the perfect knowledge of our situation possessed by the savages. For a series of years the Indians had come to trade at the Truck-house, and were free to hunt and rove at pleasure. They lived in all the towns, and went in and out of the houses of settlers - often sleeping at night by the kitchen fire ; and were thus perfectly acquainted with the state of the forts, and fields, and habits of the people. The six Indian commissioners that were maintained by our government at the Truck-house for ten years, receiving regu- lar pay and rations, left the hour that the war-cloud appeared.
At this date, John Stoddard of Northampton was colonel of the Hampshire regiment of militia. On the declaration of War, Col. Stoddard was charged with the general superintendence of the defences on the western frontiers : Capt. Ephraim Williams was put in com- mand of the cordon of forts ; Maj. Israel Williams was appointed commissary, with Capt. Josiah Willard at Fort Dummer and Ebenezer Hinsdell at Hinsdell's fort, under-commissarys. This list of officers will need to be kept in mind in order to understand many facts and references in the papers which follow.
Capt. Benjamin Wright, who took so important a part in preced- ing wars, died in 1743 ; but some of the Northfield men who had had experience in fighting the Indians were still able for service. Dea. Ebenezer Alexander, though in his 60th year, was vigorous and retained the old war spirit. Robert Cooper, though less able was ready on emergency to take the war path. Other names will be found in their place on the muster-rolls. But the Northfield men to be made prominent in the scenes to be now depicted, were mostly new in military command. The officers of the Northfield militia Co. in 1743, were Zechariah Field, Captain, Samuel Hunt, Lieu- tenant, and Hezekiah Stratton, Ensign. Stratton, now in his 55th year, had been distinguished for wood-craft and skill in marking out new land-grants, rather than a taste for warlike adventure. He and Gaius Field were appointed chainmen in laying out Arlington, and many other special and township grants which required thorough knowledge of the lay of the land and points of compass, as well as hardihood and endurance. And his intimate acquaintance with the country and with the Indians, and their hiding places, and his known courage, induced the authorities to confide to him special military trusts.
I Doolittle's Narrative.
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The Old French and Indian War.
THE NEW FORTS. - Dea. Ebenezer Alexander appears to have scented the war from afar, and in the winter of '43-4 made preparation to fortify his premises. Early in the spring he built a mount on the rise of land to the east of his dwelling-house. It was started as a private enterprise, but was afterwards accepted and the cost paid by the town. The mount, which was made of heavy timbers, two stories high, with look-out and roof, formed the easterly end of a fort, which extended down the slope towards the street and enclosed the buildings and yard. The sides and west end were of stout posts and planks. The mount was finished before May 25, as this bill of labor and a part of the materials, presented to the town on that day, shows :
Acet. of Work done at Dea. Alexander's mount.
Ebenezer Alexander's accompt - To a hand 11 days,
£4 4 0
To carting a load of boards,
O
4 0
To 3 cattle à a day,
O
3 9
To timber for rafters and girts to lay the floor,
O
5 0
Pedajah Field's accompt - To 2 day's hewing of timber,
1 4 0
John Holton's acct. - 8 day's work & horfe & a day,
3 5 3
Eben" Petty's acct. - 7 day's work & oxen part of a day,
2 19 6
Jofhua Holton - 2} day's work and horfe half a day,
1
: 3
Richard Chamberlain - 2 day's work,
O 16 o
John Petty - 4} day's work and horfe } a day,.
I 17 3
Thomas Wier - 4 day's work,
1 12 0
John Brown -43 day's work and oxen 13 days,
2 1 6
Ebenezer Webb - 3 } day's work,
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